What is "to parcel a seam"

Parcel \Par"cel\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Parceledor Parcelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Parceling or Parcelling.]

1. To divide and distribute by parts or portions; -- often with out or into. ``Their woes are parceled, mine are general.''
   --Shak.

   These ghostly kings would parcel out my power.
   --Dryden.

   The broad woodland parceled into farms.
   --Tennyson.

2. To add a parcel or item to; to itemize. [R.]

   That mine own servant should Parcel the sum of my disgraces by Addition of his envy.
   --Shak.

3. To make up into a parcel; as, to parcel a customer's purchases; the machine parcels yarn, wool, etc.

   To parcel a rope (Naut.), to wind strips of tarred canvas tightly arround it.
   --Totten.

   To parcel a seam (Naut.), to cover it with a strip of tarred canvas.